Expression of Interest open for South Gippsland Highway

Expressions of interest have been advertised to design and construct the realignment of the South Gippsland Highway at Black Spur, Koonwarra.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the South Gippsland Highway was a key link in Victoria's rural road network and a main connection to major ports and markets in Melbourne.

“The Australian Government is working to ensure regional roads are safer and more efficient. Locally, this funding for the ‘Black Spur’ realignment will help pay for widening road shoulders and introducing flexible safety barriers at key locations,” Mr Chester said.

“This stretch of road is critical to the region, providing access to the major tourist destination of Wilson's Promontory and a key route for the agriculture, dairy, oil and gas industries. Realigning the stretch will reduce run-off-road crashes, improve efficiency and connectivity for freight and reduce travel times.”

Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said pre-qualified contractors were invited to express interest in the project.

“Safety is our top priority. That's why we're investing in the realignment of the South Gippsland Highway at Black Spur, to remove several tight curves and widen the road to create a straighter, more level section of highway. As a result the highway will be upgraded to ‘A’ class road standard, which will reduce travel times and improve road safety,” Mr Donnellan.

Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent said shortlisted contractors would be invited to tender for the works later in 2017.

“This is an important project for the community and we're expecting the successful contractor to be announced in early 2018, with works on the ground to begin by the middle of the year,” Mr Broadbent said.

State Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said safety was at the forefront of the realignment with 4,000 passenger vehicles and 1,000 heavy vehicles estimated to use this section of the highway each day.

“We're doing what we said we'd do—making the notorious Black Spur safer and improving freight connections along this important corridor,” Ms Shing said.

Tenders to deliver the project are expected to open later this year, with an expected completion date of 2021. The Australian Government and Victorian Government have each committed $25 million to fund the $50 million project.